Waterproof smartphones haven’t become the norm yet, but there are still some great handsets that can brave a walk in the rain or a drop in a pool. You’re out of luck if you want an iPhone with these abilities, but Android has plenty of options.

The term “waterproof” is contentious. A truly waterproof phone would keep all the water out no matter what. Most phones are water-resistant, in that they can withstand a certain amount but will buckle under extreme circumstances. Think of it like the term “scratch-free glass” — yes, in most day-to-day cases it works, but if you take a fine diamond across it, you’ll see a lovely scar on your screen.

For the sake of this article, we are going to use the terms “waterproof”, “water-resistant” and so on interchangeably, much to the ire of pedants everywhere. In our dictionary, here’s what we mean: The phones listed below can be used if they get wet in normal circumstances like rain, the pool, or even the shower. If you drop it in the ocean and watch it sink, or subject it to the sustained pressure of a water cannon, chances are the phone won’t turn on again.

Each of these phones has a different level of water-resistancy, which is noted in their IP rating. You can learn more about how IP water-resistant ratings on the IP ratings website.

Sony was the first major company to launch a waterproof flagship handset, and the latest iteration is fantastic. The Sony Xperia Z3 has top-of-the-line specifications, and it can withstand taking calls in the rain as well as photos underwater.

In fact, the Z3 is among the few which makes underwater photos easy because it has a dedicated camera shutter button. Touchscreens don’t work well (or at all) underwater, so the physical button is a great way to make use of the waterproofing for some adventurous images and videos. Just remember, you need to shut the flaps protecting the ports, or it won’t be waterproof any more.

The Compact also has stellar battery life — one of the best in any phone out there. The small size makes it easier to hold and use with one hand, which we found to be better in daily usage for environments like rain; you’re probably holding an umbrella in the other hand after all. Hey, your phone is waterproof, not you.

If you want a sturdier version than the S5, try the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active, available only on AT&T. Along with the same water protection, you also get a rugged body that can take shocks and falls. Hey, if your fingers are wet, there’s a good chance of that.

However, if you are comfortable looking up instructions online to unlock the phone on your own or you’re stuck with Verizon for one reason or another, it’s still a good option. Kyocera has unique sound technology that is able to pick up your voice more clearly despite the sound of rain or other elements in the background — a feature that multiple reviewers considered noteworthy.

Most of these phones are quite costly when you buy them unlocked, so if you want a budget buy that is still water-resistant, check out the Lenovo S750. You won’t get hardware that blows you away, but if the primary criteria is an IP67-certified phone that doesn’t break the bank, this is what you need.

One warning though: it has only 4GB of internal memory, which has proved to be a bottleneck for installing apps on Android KitKat and upwards. The S750 runs Jelly Bean, so you should be able to install apps on the microSD card easily.

The Huawei Honor 3 is not an easy phone to find, and Huawei has recently had some security concerns about user data as well. But if that doesn’t bother you and you can get this handset, then you get bang for your buck. The specifications are good enough for average users, although power users will find it limiting.

It looks run-of-the-mill, but for less than $200, you can’t be complaining about that when you’re getting a water resistant phone. The video above isn’t the best, but it’s good enough to demonstrate the waterproof capabilities.

Current cellphone waterproof technology is a joke! When the manufacturers decide to incorporate the same wireless charging technology my waterproof toothbrush has had for about a decade, then we can all have true waterproof cellphones. Not like the current marketing gimik of today.

Beware of the new Sony X3. I and many others are experiencing screens cracking and also water getting in when all the covers are closed. The original Xperias were fantastic, the new models do not have the resilience to knocks nor resistance to water.

Motorola Moto E is another best water resistant smartphone that is targeting budget users and based on many reviews, Moto E performances outperform Samsung Galaxy S5 due to stock Android and no bloatware.

It is good to see the Sony phones up there. Why the Xperia range do not seem to rate as highly as others is a mystery to me.
I have a previous model to the Z3, one of the main reasons for the purchase was the waterproofing. I live in Thailand and the traditional new year, Songkran, involves a lot of water throwing. Having a waterproof phone with an excellent camera was high on my must have features. I hope Sony have fixed the problems in wireless communication with Windows 8.1 on these phones so that you rarely need to open the ports.
Thanks for the info on the other brands, good to know there is more than Sony and Samsung.